Cleveland Browns (2007 & prior)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/16/06

Jim Brown likes his team’s potential

Thursday, February 16, 2006

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By Steve Doerschuk REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER



Two days before turning 70, Jim Brown talked about the Cleveland Browns coming of age. The Hall of Fame running back, a key adviser to owner Randy Lerner, thinks the mess that squeezed out President John Collins has been cleaned up.
“I had a very positive meeting with Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage,” Brown said. “Their heads were so together, I was kind of amazed. They’re a perfect match.”
Crennel and Savage are coming off their first year as a head coach-general manager tandem.
“Romeo wants to coach,” Brown said. “Phil is a stickler for the details of the right talent for the system.
“I talk to the players a lot. They all respect Romeo. Romeo has the package to make it work.
“He’s more of a father figure than a hell-raiser. Players who have been on other teams might say they’ve played for hell-raisers, and that can work, too. Like (Bill) Parcells. Bill Belichick? He might be a combination.”
The three keys to the 2006 offense figure to be the development of quarterback Charlie Frye, wideout Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.
“In terms of talent,” Brown said, “Braylon is a star. Kellen is a star. Charlie has all the potential to be a star. We have a great lineup here.”
Frye went 2-3 as a rookie late-season starter.
“I like Charlie,” Brown said. “I like his attitude, his ability, his calmness, his feet. I just like him.”
Winslow has appeared in two games in two seasons. He must overcome injuries from playing on an onside-kick team and crashing a motorcycle.
“I happen to like Kellen,” Brown said. “He’s a totally dedicated physical and mental football player who has talent and wants to perform at a high level.
“He’s very intense. I think he needs guidance in that intensity.”
Edwards blew out an ACL on Dec. 4 against Jacksonville and is recovering from surgery.
“He’s a classy, artful receiver,” Brown said. “He didn’t get to camp on time. When that happens, coaches have a hard time playing you because you don’t know assignments the way you need to.
“That hurt him quite a bit. There’s no doubt about his talent.
“He’s also very intelligent. He will relate to you if you’re intelligent enough to relate to him.”
Running back Reuben Droughns rushed for 1,232 yards. The only Cleveland running back with a bigger rushing season since Brown’s final year (1,544 yards in 1965) was Leroy Kelly (1,239 yards in 1968).
“I don’t know if Reuben’s contract extension is done,” Brown said. “I’m pretty sure it will get done.”
Brown calls Droughns an “unbelievable competitor,” but he would not be surprised if the Browns add a back. There will be a decision to make if Southern Cal’s LenDale White, a big back with star potential, is available when Cleveland picks at No. 12.
“I do love Reuben,” Brown said, “but if you can add a good running back under the right circumstances, you’ve gotta go after him.
“We brought in Leroy Kelly and Ernie Green when I played, and it only helped us. You’ve got to have two or three good running backs. And if it’s a true game-breaker ... there are only a few of those.”
The Browns pursuing a pass rusher in free agency or the draft, Brown said, is “a no-brainer.” Getting defensive lineman Orpheus Roye signed before he gets to free agency March 3 is on the front-burner.
“I don’t want to speak for Randy, Romeo or Phil, but in my opinion, we have a great opportunity to improve greatly.
“Say we get Braylon and Kellen back, free agency is decent, and we re-sign key players. We should be very, very competitive.” Brown did say this about Lerner: “Randy is just like me, man. We want to win.” Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/17/06

Who let the Dawgs out?

Friday, February 17, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>BY LARRY NEUMEISTER ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER




NEW YORK The screams from the “Dawg Pound” have reached a New York federal judge, who says the Cleveland Browns and their fans earned rights to the phrase before an apparel company came along and tried to take it away.
In a ruling made public Thursday, U.S. District Judge Denny Chin played referee to the dispute that lingered more than a decade before the Hawaii-Pacific Apparel Group sued the Browns and NFL Properties in 2004.
“Here, no reasonable jury could find by clear and convincing evidence that the Browns and/or NFLP abandoned the mark” when Cleveland was without a professional football team from 1995-99, the judge concluded in a 16-page decision.
Chin recounted the history of the wildly enthusiastic end-zone celebrants to 1984, when members of the Browns defense called the team’s defense the “dawg pound,” an expression soon adopted by the bleacher fans for themselves.
Before long, the phrase became so popular that NFL Properties — the marketing arm of professional football — decided Cleveland was a hot market and registered “Cleveland Browns Dogs” and “Cleveland Browns Dawgs” as an Ohio trademark.
By 1989, the NFL was accepting licensing fees for T-shirts that used the words “Dawg Pound” and for a Hallmark Christmas card depicting Santa Claus sitting in a recliner watching a Browns game with a dog in a “Browns Dawg Pound” sweatshirt.
As the judge recounted it, though, storm clouds were gathering over Cleveland’s rights to the trademark once the clothing company was founded in 1986 by Donald Shepherd in Honolulu.
Shepherd began to manufacture and distribute clothing bearing phrases such as “Dawg Pound,” “Lil Dawg Pound” and “Top Dawg” in the early and mid ’90s after his teenage son was called “Top Dawg” by members of his baseball team in 1991.
In March 1994, the company tried to register the “Dawg Pound” trademark but was opposed by the NFL. Shepherd said in court papers he had no interest in football and didn’t know that the expression was used in Cleveland to refer to fans.
After the Browns franchise moved to Baltimore in 1995, the clothing company successfully registered the trademarks “Top Dawg” and “Lil Dawg Pound” and it eventually sold about $10 million worth of Dawg-related merchandise, the judge said.
When the Browns and the NFL tried to register “Dawg Pound” as a trademark in March 1999, the request was denied because it was similar to the company’s “Lil Dawg Pound” trademark.
A year later, the company sent a letter to the Browns and the NFL demanding that they stop using the “Dawg Pound” trademark.
Even as the litigation progressed, the Browns continued to promote the “Dawg Pound” on its Web site, where it called it “one of the most famous trademarks in sports.” After the ruling, the Browns said in statement: “We are happy with the court’s decision. The Dawg Pound is just one example of how our fans passionately support the Browns and we are pleased it will remain a part of our heritage.” The company and its lawyer did not immediately return telephone message for comment.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

2/19/06

View from Pluto

RIPE LEADER WANTED Browns will be Browns until team finds veteran receiver. Seahawks' Jurevicius or Patriots' Givens might do the trick

By Terry Pluto

<!-- begin body-content -->As the Browns complete postseason evaluations, they believe they had more than just a problem with dropped passes from their receivers.
There also were maturity issues.
Few fans realize how much time these players spend together, especially those who play the same positions. One of the goals for 2005 was to bring stability to the team, and not just from the coaching staff.
The Browns were thrilled with the solid character of the offensive line. New guards Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman brought in toughness and dedication to preparation. Coleman played several games on one healthy leg near the end of the season. His teammates were amazed at how much pain he withstood.
New left tackle L.J. Shelton also was beat up, yet started every game and missed only a dozen plays. That's part of the reason his free-agent market value is rising.
General Manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel appreciate how veteran Trent Dilfer served as a role model and teacher to rookie quarterback Charlie Frye.
In addition to rushing for 1,232 yards, Reuben Droughns is a gritty, solid presence in the dressing room. The defense had some respected leaders in Orpheus Roye, Andra Davis and Brian Russell.
But the key receivers were rookie Braylon Edwards and veterans Dennis Northcutt and Antonio Bryant. Northcutt is quiet. Bryant has a strong personality, and he often ruled the room. He also has some maturity issues. When the game plan didn't feature much passing, Bryant's interest faded during meetings.
Coaches only can do so much. The most effective pressure on a pro team comes from the other players. There's some concern that Bryant isn't the ideal role model for the other receivers.
Bryant led the Browns with 69 catches, four for touchdowns. But he also had 14 drops, a lot by any standard. He's a free agent, and as of now, the Browns are making no moves to bring him back. That's despite knowing Edwards won't be close to 100 percent recovered from knee surgery until September.
Bottom line: The Browns are seriously seeking a veteran receiver who also can be a leader.
Here are two names:
• The Seattle Seahawks' Joe Jurevicius. He had a great year in Seattle, making 55 catches -- most of them meaningful. Of those 55, there were 39 for first downs, 10 for touchdowns and nine of at least 20 yards. He's a Cleveland native. He'll be 32 next year. He's played in three Super Bowls.
So why would the Seahawks not re-sign him?
The Seahawks have post-Super Bowl issues -- that is, salary-cap problems. Star running back Shaun Alexander and big-time left guard Steve Hutchinson are free agents. So is Rocky Bernard, a defensive tackle who had 8 ½ sacks and is only 26 years old.
The Seahawks can't keep everyone, and Jurevicius could be left out of the free-agent sweepstakes. It's no secret the Browns really like this guy.
• The New England Patriots' David Givens. The Notre Dame product is only 25, but he's been on Super Bowl-winning teams, and Crennel obviously knows him well from their days in New England. He's not flashy, but hangs on to the ball.
Givens' receptions have risen from 34 to 56 to 59 in the past three years.
He's known as a strong possession receiver with the typical New England gritty approach to the game. A notable statistic is 107 of his 158 career catches went for first downs. He also caught touchdown passes in his past seven playoff games.
The Patriots have emerging star receiver Deion Branch approaching free agency in a year, and they might not be willing to pay a lot to keep Givens, who made $1.4 million in 2005.
TALKIN' BROWNS
Play of Northcutt has not improved
• The Browns see Dennis Northcutt as a slot receiver and punt returner. When he was flanked out, he had trouble getting open. Instead of getting better as his career progresses, Northcutt has leveled off and even slipped a bit.
• Forget Kellen Winslow Jr. moving to wide receiver. At that position, his speed is just average. But it's a major advantage as a tight end. The Browns are optimistic about his return.
• Here's a strange one: Brandon Rideau came to the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas known for having iffy hands. But in training camp and practices, he rarely dropped a pass. He had some of the best hands on the team. Yet, there was a reluctance to use him in games. Browns officials admit now they might have underrated him, still dealing with his reputation from college rather than what they were seeing every day in practice. They hope to keep working with him in the offseason and see if he can make an impact.
• Some fans wonder why Frisman Jackson doesn't play more. He does have pretty good hands, but has trouble getting open. He doesn't have the speed to shake loose from most decent cornerbacks.
• While the Browns will continue to work with Joshua Cribbs as a receiver, he has a long way to go to learn the position. They do love him on special teams. He was second on the team in special-team tackles.
• Like Cribbs and Rideau, Ohio State's Simon Fraser made the team as an undrafted free agent. He excelled on special teams. The Browns believe he definitely can help as a backup defensive lineman. As Savage said: ``Given his attitude and work ethic, who knows? He could surprise us and even start one day.''
• The best money the Browns spent last offseason was the $21,000 used to bring in their undrafted free agents. Five made the team: Cribbs, Rideau, Fraser, Paul Irons and J'Vonne Parker.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

2/20/06

DidSavage make right call on Holcomb?

Monday, February 20, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>BROWNS BEAT STEVE DOERSCHUK



The Browns, you may have noticed, didn’t have a great postseason. The next two months will determine if next season will be better.
This time of year can do so much for a team. Last year’s talent acquisition period, obviously, didn’t do enough.
March came in like a lamb and went out with Jeff Garcia on the Lions.
At this time last year, we had no idea:
n What GM Phil Savage and Coach Romeo Crennel would do about key men Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown or Kelly Holcomb.
n Reuben Droughns’ 1,240-yard 2004 didn’t excite Mike Shanahan.
n Ross Verba had completely lost touch with the home planet.
n Braylon Edwards was such a snazzy dresser.
n Kellen Winslow Jr. could turn a motorcycle into a unicycle.
Same time, this year.
By late April, the new faces coming to the Browns might completely alter your opinion of them. By November, that certainly will be the case, with faces linked to feats.
At this time last year, the top three quarterbacks on the Browns roster were Holcomb, Garcia and Luke McCown.
Garcia was released on Feb. 22. McCown was traded to Tampa Bay on April 24.
As agent Frank Bauer hurried around Indianapolis at the Combine last February, his client, Holcomb, was in limbo, about to become an unrestricted free agent.
“The ball’s in the Browns’ court,” Bauer said.
Cleveland punted, letting Holcomb land in Buffalo. Savage traded for Trent Dilfer on March 5.
Among all of Savage’s roster moves last year, this stands as the one most open to debate. It includes parallel talking points.
New Buffalo Head Coach Dick Jauron and Crennel must address the same quarterback question. Do you play the old guy (Buffalo’s Holcomb, Cleveland’s Dilfer)? Or do you play the 24-year-old kid (Bills’ J.P. Losman, Browns’ Charlie Frye)?
Jauron was the first to come out with an answer. He said the other day that Holcomb will get a shot to unseat the former chosen one, Losman.
Almost everyone expects Frye to be Cleveland’s guy, but Crennel hasn’t said what he’ll do. Whatever the decision, it’s fair to ask if keeping Holcomb would have been better than acquiring Dilfer.
Comparing their 2005 seasons with their new teams, the 32-year-old Holcomb arguably outplayed the 33-year-old Dilfer.
In 10 games, including eight starts in which his record was 4-4, Holcomb went 155-of-230 (67.4 percent) for 1,509 yards, with 10 touchdowns, eight interceptions and an 85.6 rating.
In 11 starts, Dilfer had a 4-7 record. He went 199-of-333 (59.8 percent) for 2,321 yards, with 11 TDs, 12 interceptions and a 76.9 rating.
Dilfer is a more vocal leader who is less inhibited about when to speak and what to say. Dilfer also has tons more field experience, having appeared in 121 NFL games, compared to Holcomb’s 34.
Dilfer’s postseason résumé includes six starts and a Super Bowl win. Holcomb’s is confined to the Browns’ shootout loss at Pittsburgh in 2003.
That experience and Dilfer’s makeup point to him as a better mentor for Frye than Holcomb would have been.
Recently, Frye said of Dilfer, “He’s the most knowledgeable guy I’ve ever met.”
Knowing what to do, though, is different than getting ’er done.
If Frye is found wanting or gets hurt, this becomes the central issue.
If Losman is a Buffalo version of Kyle Boller, the Bills need Holcomb to play and win.
If the hopes for Frye go bust, Dilfer has to be the man.
Which begs the question ... would Holcomb have been the better man?
Consider the Browns’ and Bills’ late-season games at Cincinnati — Dilfer had been replaced by Frye.
On Dec. 11, Frye went 16-of-24 for 138 yards and a 78.1 rating in a 23-20 loss.
On Dec. 24, Holcomb went 23-of-37 for 308 yards and a 105.3 rating in a 37-27 win.
For years now, Holcomb has flashed these slivers of light that make you wonder if he’s a player.
Meanwhile, Frye made this little promise about himself during Super Bowl week: “The rookie quarterback that you saw, you won’t see next year.”
If that’s the case, and he plays well as the starter, Dilfer is the right veteran, because he fits as a mentor.
If, however, Frye doesn’t pan out, maybe Savage should have found a way to keep Holcomb.
You could argue it doesn’t matter in the big picture, that Dilfer will never lead another team to a Super Bowl, and that Holcomb will never take one there. Depending on how 2006 shakes out, though, it’ll seem to matter at the time, if you’re sitting in one those expensive seats.
HOLLYWOOD JIM
To some of us, it’s hard to believe running back Jim Brown is 70 — his birthday was Friday — and just as hard to believe he spent more of his life making movies than he did playing football in Cleveland.
Some of his memorable characters:
n Convict Robert T. Jefferson in “The Dirty Dozen” (1967).
n Jimmy Price, with top billing ahead of George Kennedy, in “...tick...tick...tick...” (1970).
n Slaughter, co-starring Stella Stevens, in “Slaughter” (1972) ... Ed McMahon co-starred in the 1973 sequel, “Slaughter’s Big Ripoff.”
n Fireball, opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Running Man” (1987).
n Berwell, co-starring Ving Rhames, in “Animal” (2005).
When Brown was closer to football-playing age, he played megamacho action characters.
Brown’s early attraction to Hollywood was associated with wine, women and song, not necessarily in that order, and the money wasn’t bad.
Some of his more recent efforts, like “Animal,” are linked to his efforts to steer inner-city youths away from the dead-end gang culture. He has worked with an interesting cast of characters, many of them all on the same set in the 1996 oddball, “Mars Attacks.” The cast included enough name players for an offensive huddle: Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Benning, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sara Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Pam Grier and, of course, The Man. Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

PlainDealer

2/20/06

Pool ready to make a splash in '06


Sunday, February 19, 2006

Roger Brown
Plain Dealer Columnist

Though he's entering his second NFL season, Browns safety Brodney Pool may be the player most likely to become a major playmaker on defense during the upcoming season.

That's the view of Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. He says Pool, who didn't start a game as a rookie but still saw significant time, has the talent to be both a starter and an impact player in 2006.

"He's got great defensive instincts, he's got skill, he's the ability to change games and he's a good kid," Grantham says of Pool, a 2005 second-round pick from Oklahoma. "Brodney just needs to stay healthy and to mature a bit. But he's one of the most talented guys we have, and I think he's ready to break loose."

Grantham says even as a rookie, Pool played a valuable, if underestimated, role on last year's Browns defense: His presence pushed veteran defensive back Chris Crocker to raise his game. In 2005, Crocker had the best season of his NFL career.

Last season, Grantham's defense ranked among the NFL's best in several categories, including defending inside its 20-yard line.

Have we seen

the last of longtime Brown Kenard Lang in a Cleveland uniform? Most likely, yes. Though only 31, Lang seemed to age overnight last season; he struggled to cover receivers as an outside linebacker, and wasn't able to apply consistent pressure as a pass rusher. (Lang used to be able to do the latter pretty well.)

Browns linebacker Chaun Thompson

will team up with several former Browns to play the Cuyahoga Falls Cougars, an IBL minor-league team, in a charity game at 6 p.m. tonight at Cuyahoga Falls High School. Former Browns Kevin Mack, Felix Wright, Eric Metcalf, Tim Manoa, Herman Fontenot, Frank Stams and Mike Pagel are also scheduled to play.

During the 2006 season,

the Browns are planning events to celebrate 60 years of the team's presence in Cleveland. That's a bit more precise than what we stated in a recent column item.



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